This is what ‘actress-politician’ Lani Mercado, wife of actor-turned-senator Bong Revilla had to say about the idea of scrapping altogether the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel:

“Basta huwag lang manghihingi sa amin ang mga tao!”

Lani Mercado sets her terms with regard to proposals to scrap the pork barrel.

You vote politicians fort them to either govern or legislate, not to become everybody’s milking cow. This kind of mentality is the root of all our corruption culture in public service. From Barangay level ( when I say from Barangay level it starts with the SK chairman all the way up to Barangay Chairman) , then Municipal or City level ( Councilors to Mayors) to Provincial level- from the Bokals , to Vice Governors to Governors) then to Congressmen people would line up either in the office or in the residences of these elected officials asking /soliciting for money, food, medicines, bus tickets, trophies, league uniforms, fiesta entertainment, crown for the Ms Barangay or Ms Fiesta, for the caracoles, for the marching band, for the wedding of their daughter, their son needs bail.

If we would stop asking cash/donations or gifts from these politicians then we would lessen their need to justify the means.

And If the availment of basic social services shall be provided by a better system by the national government and its agencies such as DOH and DSWD with easy equal access (red-tape free) by everybody in this country then indigent people would stop asking these politicians for money. Since the poor that needs to buy basic medicines are more often shooed away by either the public hospitals or DSWD or the red tape itself of securing basic services is frustrating , they often run to their elected officials who in turn so scared to offend the sensibilities of Pinoy voters would not say no to any one. Just imagine if everyday you have 100 people lining up asking for cash? Where do you think these politicians would get money to give their constituents? From their own salaries? From their personal monies? hahahaha!!

So unless we stop these “pahinge ng pera” , these politicians will not stop making ways to make money too.

Sana i-equip niya ang health facilities niya para ma-avail ng tao sa community niya ang services…asa kanila naman ang pondo…as for people who are asking for gifts, he should set his feet down and just not give. Don’t blame those that ask. Baka naman takot and politicians magdeny ng financial assistance kasi mawawala ang boto next time.

Channel the money they use for dole outs to the offices in the areas that could address the needs of their constituents. Kailangan lang niya sabihin na huwag po kayo pumila sa bahay namin, dun po kayo sa mga tanggapan namin and assure that services are accessed easily. Governance and political will lang yan to serve the people

First It is so easy to say yang mga sinasabi mo but it will never happen in reality nor will it translate to immediate assistance to the needy. It looks good in paper to say that “desisyon ng politicians kung magbibigay siya o hindi”. It seemd you haven’t been to your Mayor’s office yet. Try to pay a visit for you to have a clear understanding and perhaps could come up with a more close to reality suggestions. It seems also you don’t understand the nature of these politicians and the nature itself of our ordinary Filipinos voters. And it also very apparent you don’t know how the LGU operates and work. Kapag merong nakasahod na palad sa harap mo at nag susumamo at humahagul-gul sa harap mo , maka-kaya mo bang sabihin, wala po sa sinumpaang tungkulin ko ang magbigay ng pera sa inyo? Masasabi mo pa ba sa kanila na sa DSWD kayo magpunta wag dito sila po ang merong nakalaang pondo para sa needs na yan.

> well it really looks good on print and why would it not?.. its true that politicians should have a higher state of judgement as they supposed to protect and serve the community being “trusted” leaders right?

And a fina; quote from you:

“…it seemd you haven’t been to your Mayor’s office yet. ”

> hay naku… why do you always do this i most of your replies… you ASSUME. Assuming ka ba talaga sa maraming bagay?

Mali in both ways. I don’t know if you indeed know how an LGU operate. First, I never said it is wrong to ask for help especially if it is a valid one, like a life saving one ( medicines, use of ambulance, hospitalization), but I think it is morally wrong as well to ask your local government to sponsor your Barangay’s Sports Basketball Fiesta League. Una, pera ng bayan yun para gastusin mo sa isang grupo lang ng tao. Di ba kapag pera ng bayn dapat lahat merong access at pwedeng pakinabangan? Pangalawa, sa ganyang mga proyekto nagkakaron ng idea ang mga politiko nagawing negosyo ang mga proyekto nila.

Both Mali..? e di ikaw na tama… I graduated as MPA and talkig about (Legit) LGUs is another side of the story here. It is not morally wrong to ask, it happened in Jesus’ time. And Remember Jesus was also asked by Mary to help provide wine for the festivities. KAya nga may mga committees at programs in all fields. So san mo kukunin and tourism at socio ccultural and sports funds? and pag sinabi mo ba na League (pang sports) or Contest (cultural) wont help your community in anyway?

We live in a world that is not ideal for equality. IDEALISM would be best for all but the SYSTEM and people in power and even the people who pretend to KNOW All may this nation’s downfall.. BACK TO CRAB MENTALITY.

Lastly MArc I dont express my points as to merely opinions but based on actual masteral studies, research and being a public servant myself starting as an SK.

And yes, I DO INDEED know the LEGAL Functions of a LEGIT LGUs and not the bogus ones.

I still would reirerate a proper system that would guide and govern hose so called politico. In your term, “politico nyo”.

what you said is sadly true..its not us being elitist..i have established a business that employs as much people that i can and i even see corruption under my umbrella..amongst them.hindi aasenso ang pilipinas dahil sa mga kagaya ninyong not getting involve in the economic development..i dare say our main problem is population explosion..and the flight of the great minds who selfishly goes elsewhere to live a safe successful life than here. decisions become a result of raw instinct..artistang kilala playing roles to lead us?? who got them up there..
sabagay there was simply no good choice anyway..

Wow! Now lets blame the poor… hmmm di ba dapat ang SISTEMA ng gobyerno at mga namamahala ang dapat pagtuunan dito? And by the way Mr Farol, Tell me which country dont have any poor, homeless, and illegal settlers who can be declared a non-corrupt country?

Easy for you to point out the blame on those people who badly needed the help of this so called “public servants.” Kung sana ay ginamit ang perang yan to teach this people how to fish rather than ask for it, di sana nabawasan na sila. Yun ang punto dito Mr. Farol.

There is something wrong with our laws, we pay taxes, but its the poor, who does not pay tax, that put candidates in office, the likse of Erap, Sotto and Bong Revilla. I have nothing against the poor, but I do have a problem with our laws in terms of equality. There should be a law limiting the right of sufferage by putting qualifications, like only high graduates can vote.

Not sure about “educational background” as a determinant for voting. You can be a 13-year-old genius who can vote wisely just as you can be a 50-year-old moron who sells his vote. But neither condition necessarily demonstrates the capacity to vote for the option that will put the welfare of society ahead of personal ambition. Ultimately you want voters to choose officeholders who are willing to sacrifice themselves as well as possess the ability to govern.

hindi lang sila poor theyare also with little sense of discernment because they have not reached that stage of education like we had. The funds of the government never reached them to study. It was never the priority of those politicians to teach the poor. Sa kanila mahirap iyan hayaan na lang sila maging mahirap./

That also seems to be a mistake. If you are educated it doesn’t mean you are wiser. Look at the number of educated middle class who voted for Noynoy Aquino. Arguably a better choice would have been Manny Villar who has manegerial skills. Instead, large numbers of “smart” people voted for the nebulous idea of honest government translating to prosperity. Education doesn’t equate to wisdom. And continuing the use of government funds to “educate” the poor still doesn’t ensure the best leaders will be elected.

education though gives one a fighting to chance to compete in the real world instead of being in the gutter selling body parts or stealing them..in the end its a lopsided economy if there is the unbalanced scale..entertainers are the escape of the idle..whew..

I’m not questioning the VALUE of education. I’m questioning the blind logic of the assumption that a high school diploma or a college degree automatically ensures the wisdom to choose the right leaders. And by extension the previous assertion that in order for us to have better leaders, we need to throw more taxpayer’s money at the educational system. Also, I disagree with the biased notion that someone without a formal education is incapable of making sophisticated choices.

The right of suffrage is a basic human right…everyone so long as they are of the right age must be given the chance to choose who will represent them. If a government discriminates its people’s voting rights based on their educational attainment…it will further divide the people b/w the have and the have nots…a very dangerous thing to consider.

I agree. What if it’s the other way around? Why pick on the voters? What if the people who are running for office should be scrutinized? Eh ang may mga kaso nga nakakatakbo for re-election, at nanalo pa! Bakit ang daming nuisance candidates? Kasi nga, walang maayos na pamantayan ang batas natin as to this things.

After graduating from college, I worked as a clerk in a government office and I was very surprised at the kind of requests we received from the people. Sometimes, I even have to “dukot” from my wallet just to hand something – though I only give to those who really are in need. Minsan kasi mga professional beggars na ang pumapasok sa office namin at humihingi na kung anu-ano every week.

I don’t get this. Is the writer mad at Lani Mercado? She did make a valid point, after all — constituents do ask money from politicians, as if they are the masses’ milking cow, like what Marc said. Why is he telling Lani Mercado et al that money is earned and not begged for? Shouldn’t he be telling that to the Filipinos with squatter mentalities?

Politicians are the other side of the coin. Their dole out programs feed the idea that if you want to, you can get by without having to work for a living or becoming a productive member of society. Legislators especially shouldn’t be preoccupied with how much money they can allocate for certain pet projects. They should be concerned with crafting laws that affect the whole of their constituency, not just the poor. Instead they involve themselves in what should be the function of the various departments of the executive branch. That in itself is erroneous. It gives the impression that the government is a failure and that it needs a special allocation from a district representative to ensure the president and the rest of the administration does their job. That doesn’t make government work more efficiently. It just screws up priorities.

If the Legislators shouldn’t be preoccupied w/ how much money can be allocated for certain projects…then they shouldn’t be given the PDAF anymore.

The PDAF should go to various agencies of the government, such as: DSWD, DAR, DOH, DEP-ED, TLRC, TESDA, NEDA, NHA, etc.

It is true that each district will have different needs from it’s neighbouring district, hence the politicos’ justification for needing to have control over their PDAF. Which is why the government agencies and the legislator (may include LGU also), should work in collaboration on the finalisation of the allocations to meet all the needs of each district…within the budget allotted to them, of course.

read this comment again Johnny Saint. Taxpayers are not only the rich (aka ELITE) maraming tax payers who pays their taxes(taxes which includes but not limited to community taxes, professional taxes, income tax pati na VAT) forced and voluntary.

I agree that people who should be heard in greater gravity should be the one who are both forced and voluntarily pay taxes.

One thing more Mr Johnny Saint, you’re question should be DO YOU THINK and not YOU AGREE… lastly, ELITIST from the root word ELITE is a group of people considered to be the best in a particular society or category, esp. because of their power, talent, or wealth…(Webster, 2013) there is no mention that being an elitist is limited to the RICH. Communication skills are important. LOL

By the current tax structure EVERYONE already pays some form of tax upon consumption. 😉 It’s called the Value Added Tax (VAT).

By your logic, you are giving RICH elite who pay taxes a greater voice in the running of the country. How is this equitable? You WANT Kris Aquino to have more power in the vote simply because she is rich?

You still have THE EXACT SAME RESULT if you use income tax. Thus is simple reasoning. With a HIGHER INCOME, you PAY HIGHER TAXES. Therefore the richer you are, by this logic, the more weight your vote carries. Is this equitable to you?

Gumagamit ka ba ng Dictionary.. income tax is from PERSONAL INCOME which does not include community taxes, yun VAT (mo), PRT at kung anu anu pa. but since this are all TAXES in category, marami ang nagbabayad ng tax or mga tax payers.

You speak of equality, but I defend and support it. Point to ponder lang.

Lastly, ayan ka na naman,you use put words on people’s mouth. in this case .. magbasa ka nga ng ayos, there was no mention of RIGHTS nor RICH in any of my comments… hmmm baka naman your inner thoughts are just radiating its true colors. haha.

I agree…it is everyone’s right to vote. If the gravity of someone’s vote is to be based on the value of their Income Tax…only the less than 10% of the population that belongs to the “truly rich” will be able to choose who to represent them.

Not to sound condescending, but most of the people on this thread should probably waste their time voting…if the basis is the value of Income Tax…unless you’re part of the less than 10% rich of the Philippines.

Stop speaking politically here. When we stop throwing words toward each other and start doing our part for the betterment of the country, everything will be put into place. The reason behind all of these (poverty, corruption) is fault-finding. Everyone is looking on each other’s fault. We can never eradicate corruption nor put an end to poverty by just saying your thoughts or lamentations here, or even slandering one another just because we don’t like his/her opinion. You must learn to look beyond your window- learn to step out of the door.

You do not have the right to stop anybody here from speaking what he wants to say. As Voltaire have once said, “”I disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it”. That’s our freedom of speech..

There is a big difference between fault-finding and fact-finding. We cannot afford to turn a blind eye to this economic sabotage perpetrated by our politicians who should be looking after the welfare of the people they represent. Those who have committed these grave abuse should held accountable and prosecuted. This is as one columnist wrote is a rape of our nation.

With all due respect Jash, we are not fault finding, we are expressing what we feel about this issue. I, for one, just wants to publicly air my sentiment as to how arrogantly this idiotic woman is reacting towards the issue of PDAF being abolished. I don’t give a damn as to how she handles her office, but for her to demean her constituents as if the money she’s giving to them is from her OWN POCKET, is totally revolting at NAKAKAYAMOT!!!

And FYI, a lot of people already stepped out from their “doors” to reveal such filth Filipino politics has, but to what avail? WALA! Kasi ang mga politikong mga yan ang gagawa ng lahat ng paraan to cover up their assess because they would be fried in their own sebo if the truth will come out.

Did you ever do your part? choss naman na comment oo… I think we should see the big F for fault so we can eradicate the mental bullshits who’s dragging our nation to perdition.. Wala namang slander na nangyari.. lantad na nga sa TV ang kababuyan na ginawa nila,, People are just lamenting it here cause that’s the least they can do to partake that freedom of speech that they’re allowed too.. hahahehehahaho.. One should be vigilant.. There’s nothing wrong if we see their faults for that should be corrected not in a judgmental manner but in a constructive one..obviously faulty naman yung ways nila.. Pero kung crab mentality ang ipapairal natin ibang usapan yun..Gets mo? Kung “FAULTY” ang pamamaraan nila then that should be eradicated dahil yan ang source ng lahat ng kababuyan na nangyayri dito sa bansa natin politically speaking..Ikaw anu bang ginawa mo right after you looked beyond your window?

Congressmen and Congresswomen, you should teach people to catch fish instead of just handing them dole outs. People would never ever learn if they can get their needs by just begging for alms. Can’t rely on other people for our own sustenance. People should learn the value of hard work. Concentrate on passing bills that would enable the Filipino people. Scrap the pork barrel! Only you, politicians, are benefiting from it.

Sps. Revilla: You give people money, yes its true. But its not out of generosity. It is in exchange for their vote. And it’s not your money you gave away it’s taxpayers’ money. Huli na kayo magpapalusot pa.

Filipino Squatter Mentality? Let’s not make it appear as if that is innate to the Filipino. Historically, the foreign colonizers were the first ones who taught this nation what squatting on a grand scale is. To colonize and usurp kingdoms is an acquired trait we got from no less than the English folks, the French, the Americans, the Spaniards, the Japanese, the Chinese etc.

Abraham Lincoln is a notable example. In 1862, Lincoln signed the Homestead Act, also previously vetoed by President Buchanan. It eventually gave away 420,000 square miles – 10% of all American land – to squatters.

The CARP Law recognizes a squatter as a tenant if the land he squatted on was developed and tilled by him and it was abandoned and neglected formerly.

Prior to those, almost all the lands were squatted upon by the Spaniards and their churchmen and their families and cronies.

Who is the squatter then? Doesn’t the land (being a finite resource relative to population size) belong to the whole citizenry and the State reserves the right to regulate and distribute the same if it becomes necessary (under the Philippine Constitution)?

I thought you’re running the government position so you can help the poor Filipino people. This is what you promised during the election campaign. Shame on you, shame all Politicians. You’re judgement day are coming, you maybe save from the law of the land because of money & power but in the eyes of God, you’re not.

Poor Lani. Her true colors came out without even trying. So beware taxpayers! Our money is being used by the likes of this stupid girl to get more votes. Thought she is one intelligent girl. Lulusot lang nagpakatanga pa.

Kung ang pagtingin niyo sa pork barrel ay panghihingi lamang, then may mali sa perspective niya sa serbisyo. This is very alarming. Sounds like she’s fed up with her life. Maybe you need to de-stress girl. It’s not helping you at all when you comment publicly with this personal rant.

The PDAF is taxpayer’s money that must be used to fund projects that will uplift the conditions of the poor and marginalized. It is not for congressmen/women to dole out to their constituents like “utang na loob pa ng mga tao binibigyan sila ng kanilang mga dapat taga-paglingkod.” Lani Mercado’s public service sucks!

“Basta! Huwag lang sa amin humingi ang tao!” The Filipino people will remember you forever for this LANI MERCADO and your children and your children’s children will take this with them for generations to come. May God have mercy on your soul! There are things better left unsaid. Unfortunately you will never be able to take it back and not even you Dad’s agimat will work here.It’s a shame. Totally tactless and in very poor taste. Your husband stealing billions and being caught blatantly lying and trying to cover it up by carrying out a stupid investigation to verify the signatures which further confirms his stupidity and it should have been more than enough reason for you to shut up. You ended up rubbing it in and insult the Filipino people further.

A politics that is not sensitive to the concerns and circumstances of people’s lives, a politics that does not speak to and include people, is an intellectually arrogant politics that deserves to fail.
~Paul Wellstone

First learn the meaning of what you say, and then speak.
~Epictetus

Speak when you are angry – and you’ll make the best speech you’ll ever regret.
~Laurence J. Peter

Think before you speak is criticism’s motto; speak before you think, creation’s.
~E. M. Forster

It is impossible to speak in such a way that you cannot be misunderstood.
~Karl Popper

You are a woman: you must never speak what you think; your words must contradict your thoughts, but your actions may contradict your words.
~William Congreve

Hey you with a big mole in your hideous forehead: you are seated where you are today as you were elected by the citizens to SERVE them. You probably are forgetting that WE (from form of paying taxes) pay YOU in order to serve us rightly and not let your ppl even come to a point where they would “ask” for very basic necessities like health care and proper education in the first place! If you fucktards cared a lil bit more for your people, with proper use of taxes, we would probably never ask for a single dime from you. It is your fuck***ng job!!! And if u cant take it, switch careers back to being a porn actress that you were on your younger years!!!

Very important lesson learned from this Pork Barrel scandal…Filipinos need to be more intelligent, smarter,wise and vigilant voters! These CROOKS will not be in the government offices without the VOTERS! Ironical but true..actors & actresses acts and earn & politics is just like a movie for them. The Revillas and estradas are by-products of the same bloodstream from generations to generations. Enrile had been a corrupt and dishonest politician. Honasan is worst. Lani Mercado is a joke…what credentials that she have to know legislations and government but she learns from Family..a deceiving smile to the public equals 1 vote. The Revilla Son who’s born irresponsible will also serve and handle a gargantuan Responsibility for the people? WAKE UP Filipinos!!! Change the way you vote before its too late! Vote Intelligently!!!We the People are the ones who place these Corrupt,GREEDY,selfish,hypocrites in the office! Time to change for a greater Philippines! God Bless Us All!!!

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